Gus Poyet is remembered fondly for his playing career at Tottenham despite his stint being cruelly cut short by an ACL injury in 2002.
During the recently concluded international break, the Uruguayan was focal about his former club’s situation in the Premier League and offered to help out in their relegation battle, which goes to show just how much he cares about the club.
In terms of his managerial career, Poyet is currently without a job after leaving his role at K League 1 club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in December 2025.
His offer to steady the ship at Tottenham was eventually spurned as the Lilywhites turned to Roberto De Zerbi. However, Poyet has been speaking about his former club and answered a wide range of questions, from potential transfer target Maxi Araujo to the size of the task in hand for the Italian.
Poyet talks up Maxi Araujo to Tottenham
In recent weeks, Sporting CP defender Maxi Araujo has been linked with a move to Tottenham.
In fact, reports from Portugal claimed the club’s scouts watched him in action in the UEFA Champions League against Arsenal as he delivered a fantastic display despite coming out on the losing side.
Speaking exclusively to Read Tottenham via Gambling.com, where you can compare online casino sites, Poyet reserved huge praise for Araujo, who he described as an ‘interesting’ player.
“He is a very interesting player,” said Poyet.
“I have seen him quite a lot and I like what I see. Initially a left winger, he was very good when he played for the national team and also the club team. He performs well consistently and can create and score and improves all the time.
“But, more recently, he has shown his versatility by playing wing back, which is a good sign that, as a player, you can adapt, so he would be a good addition for sure.”
Talks of Romero’s departure shut down
Cristian Romero has been linked with a Tottenham departure for a long time now, with his father confirming that he has a release clause in his contract.
However, Poyet believed Romero – and the rest of the Tottenham players – need to focus on the present, which is to help the club avoid relegation.
When asked if Romero already has one foot out of the door, the Uruguayan continued, “Difficult one, as we don’t know who will be at the club next season.
“Romero and others need to now have the right mentality to perform under new manager De Zerbi, and it also needs the captain to show their leadership, so any talk of leaving has to stop and focus on the Premier League only.”
To be honest, the Lilywhites have drastically underperformed this season as their squad is good enough to be playing European football, having won the Europa League last season.
Poyet didn’t give out names when asked to single out Tottenham’s biggest disappointment this season, as he went on to insist that they have simply failed to gel together as a team.
“Another difficult question, as I have seen Spurs games where players are asked to play in many different positions. Porro has played right back, right wing back, right centre back of a three, so you can’t say who has been underperforming.
“With injuries as well, it’s been difficult and all players as a collective should be doing better. So I can’t single out players; it’s the group who have not been doing as well as they should.”
Tottenham have enough to avoid relegation
Before De Zerbi’s arrival, Sean Dyche was linked with a move to Tottenham. The Englishman has a proven track record of saving teams from relegation, making him an obvious choice.
However, Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham eventually opted to go with the Italian.
Poyet was asked if Dyche would have been a better choice for Tottenham as they need points on the board immediately, to which he appeared to suggest that results and points on the board will do all the talking at the end of the season.
“Time will tell, but De Zerbi is a top coach and if Spurs can stay in the Premier League, he can be an excellent choice for the future. So yes, this is very good. The timing is difficult for sure, but it’s up to the players to give a positive reaction now.
“This is the most important. You see a new manager bounce usually, but under Igor Tudor, this never came at all, so it is a concern.
But De Zerbi has good credentials to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. You have to think De Zerbi is a good choice here because of showing he is a top coach.
And finally, Poyet believes Tottenham have enough to avoid relegation after De Zerbi’s arrival, although he didn’t shy away from the fact that the players have left it far too late.
“Well, it’s up to the players now. The new coach is here and giving his best to guide the players from now until the end of the season. I watched the first game under Tudor live against Arsenal and was worried.
“I watched the Nottingham Forest game on TV and was more worried, so something has to change for sure.
“They are in a relegation battle now, so they haven’t been before, so there is enough quality on the pitch; the players need to perform now.”
